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We thank all the supporters of Wisdom Foundation

Project: Sahay

Location: India

Objectives:

1. Through community awareness programme, providing legal aid and advice to needy victims of crime

2. To provide direct assistance to the victims of crime through counselling, legal advice to sexual abuse, child right violations, domestic violence, etc

3. This project includes both victims and their families who have been traumatized by crimes or other forms of violence irrespective of his caste, creed and religion. Women and children constitute priority groups for immediate and special attention as they are the most vulnerable, in a disadvantageous position in the present social system, and the worst affected in any type of crime

4. Over and above to spread awareness about the legal rights of an Indian Citizen

Result so far:

Pinki is 16 years old who eloped. When The Wisdom team found out about this development with Pinki we took the help of the Police Department, counseled her about the importance of education and the need for her to be able to support herself in today’s economy and she agreed to go back to school so she could prepare for her Madhyamik exams to be held later 2013.

Bithika is a 15 year old girl comes from a very poor section of society. Her parents are unwell and incapable of providing well for their family of four children. The father believed that getting his daughters married would relieve some of his problems and so decided to get the child married without informing other family members. Wisdom Foundation team found out about this development with the Police Department stopped the child marriage. Yes it feels good to have stopped a child marriage and have a family feel that they are not alone. We are sure that Bithika’s family will oppose child marriage within their community in the future.

On (5th September, 2011) Raju came weeping to the door of The Wisdom - he had been beaten by members of a social club! They felt he did not deserve to live as he had to beg for money each day for his dialysis. The Wisdom Team took it upon them to accompany Raju to the Police Station and registered a General Diary. The Wisdom helped the cops to understand and respect the gravity of the situation and they took the case seriously. Poverty is the worst curse to have in life and to help the needy the greatest blessing. We see the curse but forget to count the blessing.

On (12th May, 2011) P.C. a young wife and mother approached us to protect her from her abusive husband. He was an alcoholic who beat her in front of her young son. She had been suffering this abuse for 17 years. WISDOM FOUNDATION believes that the humanitarian needs of those we serve are no less important than education. It was a stormy evening but time was of the essence and so THE WISDOM accompanied P.C. to the local police station and spoke to the OC there. P.C. had previously attempted to register FIRs against her husband but was never successful. This time since an NGO member accompanied her, P.C. was finally able to register the much needed FIR against her husband. He was eventually arrested and P.C. had the opportunity to fight for her freedom from her abusive husband. We continued to support her and also directed her to another organization that deals with support for battered women. Since then P.C. has been fighting her own battle and is hopefully better able to support herself and her young son.

Pinki Pandit

Pinki Pandit of Sahid Smriti Colony, Garia is 16 years old. She first came to Wisdom Foundation a year and a half ago. With her potential, her dreams and our loving support the chances of her making a good life for herself is not impossible. The environment that young girls like Pinky live in is one of many of their challenges. To be committed, to persevere and to stay focused on a goal can be shattered by the harsh reality of where they find themselves and what they have, compared to the lifestyle of the not so poor who live in close physical proximity to them.

Pinki attended school and actively participated in the classes of the Opal Project of Wisdom Foundation. Then one day she eloped. We had spoken to the children about the hardships that early marriage bring about. They were aware of how we had stopped the wedding of another child from Opal Project. Yet Pinki decided that marriage was a good choice and eloped. When The Wisdom team found out about this development with Pinki we took the help of the Police Department of Survey Park, counseled her about the importance of education and the need for her to be able to support herself in today’s economy and she agreed to go back to school so she could prepare for her Madhyamik exams to be held later this year.

Wisdom Foundation stands by the children even when they make poor choices. They are young and have very few good role models to look up to. They need love and understanding so they can find ways to make the necessary adjustments and continue on a path that will give them a better chance to live with dignity.

Stop Child Marriage!

Bithika N

Bithika N is a 15 year old girl who attends our classes of The Opal Project in Garia, Kolkata, India. On December 12th 2011, she returned her text books and uniform through two of her classmates. They informed us that Bithika was being given away in marriage the next day. We were in disbelief and realized that we had to stop the wedding. It is not only illegal and immoral but takes away the chance for Bithika to be the child she is and grow up to fulfill her personal dreams. We called Bithika and found out that she did not want to get married but her father was insisting that she must.

Bithika comes from a very poor section of society. Her parents are unwell and incapable of providing well for their family of four children. The father believed that getting his daughters married would relieve some of his problems and so decided to get the child married. He found a young man who was a worker in a factory, had studied upto class 6 and was willing to care for the girl. In the poverty stricken father’s mind this meant one mouth less to feed, one body less to clothe and two square meals for one of his children. He refused to consider that his daughter was keen on studying and being more productive for herself, her family and society. Some family members were sympathetic towards Bithika, but there were elements of society, including the landlady of their small home who supported the father.

We invited Bithika to visit us so she could express herself openly in a neutral environment. We recorded her stories of hardship, abuse and emotional upheavals that she has been facing over the short 15 years of her life. Some of the stories made us cringe in horror. These are the symptoms of illiteracy! After she left we decided that it was best to report the upcoming wedding of this child to the police. Child marriage is a non-bailable offense in India and the police department was quick to take a force to Bithika’s home. They made her parents and others in the community aware of the law and got her parents, the groom and his parents to sign a document agreeing not to go through with the wedding. The police were our biggest ally and it is heartening to see that they were so quick and determined to protect the interest of the child. This is the kind of support that is needed to protect those who need it most - our children and our women.

By late evening the police assured us that the wedding had been stopped but we were worried about Bithika’s safety. We did not want to have her face the wrath of her father. We tried calling the family and others to find out how Bithika was, with no luck. So the next morning we visited Bithika’s home. We went with the intent to let the family know that we were by their side and wanted what was best for Bithika. Her safety and well being was our first concern but we care for the rest of the family too. We explained that the children were not weaklings and deserved the chance to improve their lot and step out of poverty. We were able to assure them that we would do our very best to support Bithika as she continued school and more. We have undertaken the responsibility of helping the family feed, clothe and educate Bithika. All we ask in return is that the father treat the women in the home with respect and give them a chance to prove their mettle.

Yes it feels good to have stopped a child marriage and have a family feel that they are not alone. We are sure that Bithika’s family will oppose child marriage within their community in the future. It is shameful though, to report that the landlady has given Bithika’s family notice of a week to vacate the property because the family brought shame to the area as the police force visited the home. We offered to speak to the landlady but Bithika’s parents felt that it was best for them to move out of this close minded community into a better one.

The Wisdom Team is determined to fulfill their promises and meet their objectives. We are in desperate need of support. We need volunteers who truly care about our nation and its people. We need people who appreciate the importance of service because unless those around us succeed we are not successful. Prosperity is more than personal gain. Prosperity is the wellbeing of our entire global world and unless we help those who come within the purview of our small circle and community we cannot claim to be successful as human beings. Please come and work with us - it is very satisfying to see the smiles of people when we humbly show them that we care!

Raju Adhikari

On (5th September, 2011) Raju Adhikari came weeping to the door of The Wisdom - he had been beaten by members of a social club in an area in East Jadavpur! They felt he did not deserve to live as he had to beg for money each day for his dialysis. The Wisdom Team took it upon themselves to accompany Raju to the Police Station and registereda General Diary.The Wisdom helped the cops to understand and respect the gravity of the situation and they took the case seriously. As a matter of fact the policemen at the station even donated money towards Raju’s treatment funds. The boys of the club were reprimanded and hopefully will look upon those in need with more kindness.

The Wisdom spoke to the club members and helped them understand that even if they were unable to help it was morally wrong to beat Raju up. It is very sad to think that we as a people have become desensitized to the pain and suffering of our own. Poverty and lack has taken over the thoughts and actions of the people and death and suffering of a fellow human being has become just another burden that people can no longer be sympathetic towards. Poverty is the worst curse to have in life and to help the needy the greatest blessing. We see the curse but forget to count the blessing.

The Wisdom is providing information regarding Health Insurance to those in the neighborhood. Hopefully the situation Raju finds himself in will be avoided by our neighbors and community.

Those of us who have enough to feed, clothe and house our families need to consider helping those who have almost nothing. We need to look within ourselves and find the heart to share so we can progress as a community, as a country. Self absorption narrows our vision and makes us fearful; service towards others opens up the joys of life to us.

Violence Against Women

P.C (Initial of the victim)

On (12th May, 2011) P.C. a young wife and mother approached us to protect her from her abusive husband. He was an alcoholic who beat her in front of her young son. She had been suffering this abuse for 17 years. THE WISDOM believes that the humanitarian needs of those we serve are no less important than education. It was a stormy evening but time was of the essence and so THE WISDOM accompanied P.C. to the local police station and spoke to the OC there. P.C. had previously attempted to register FIRs against her husband but was never successful. This time since an NGO member accompanied her, P.C. was finally able to register the much needed FIR against her husband. He was eventually arrested and P.C. had the opportunity to fight for her freedom from her abusive husband. We continued to support her and also directed her to another organization that deals with support for battered women. Since then P.C. has been fighting her own battle and is hopefully better able to support herself and her young son.

There are innumerable people who need our help for different reasons. We cannot be everything for everyone; but we at The Wisdom believe that it is not for us to judge or choose which of our brethren we will support. We will do our very best to provide whatever help and support we can to as many people as we can. Service is our focus. Our main goal is providing people the tools to live with dignity and for that reason whenever we help anyone we also try and include an element of education so they and those they associate with have a better understanding about how to deal with life situations. Every opportunity we get to serve those who need us, gives us a peek into the many challenges that our countrymen face. The more we see the more grateful we are for the little that we have and can share with those who are under-served.